Green Community

WGU work with groups both on and off campus to promote a green and sustainable lifestyle.

Community Groups

Incredible Edible

Incredible Edible are an informal network of self-organising individuals and groups who are creating spaces in Wrexham where food is grown for anyone to access freely. They plan and share ideas for planting and growing.

Any level of experience welcome - all support needed to help tend, nurture and grow these free food growing projects.

Plas Derw

Plas Derw forest School are based at WGU Northop Campus, they provide an inspirational process that offers ALL learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees.

Forest School is a specialised learning approach that sits within and compliments the wider context of outdoor and woodland education.

North Wales Wildlife Trust

The North Wales Wildlife Trust have a wealth of knowledge in practical conservation and is always keen to pass on information. A collaboration with them and the University is an opportunity to share knowledge, resource and promote education.

North Wales Wildlife Trust have the resources to ensure that conservation activities are supported; through a reciprocal agreement with WGU.

North Wales Wildlife Trust give support and supervision during pond clearance providing qualified personnel, with a newt licence. The offer to the North Wales Wildlife Trust includes access to the differing habitats to survey or perform other activities within the realms of conservation.

North Wales Wildlife trust, has a willing team of volunteers, there may be instances where theoretical concepts of what is to be executed in the field need to be discussed or taught. Some of these concepts will fall neatly into areas of conservation which are part of the curriculum and therefore students can attend.

WGU Northop have a species list that they are keen to update and we hope to execute a Bio-blitz in the near future.

Flintshare

Are you passionate about the environment, would you like to get involved with planting your very own fruit and veg at WGU? Head to our Northop Campus to get a patch in one of our five poly tunnels and between July – October pick your own apples from WGU’s orchard.

The University’s Northop Campus growing facility is run by a collaboration of community growing group Flintshare and WGU societies BotSoc and ZooSoc. You can get involved and learn about planting different seeds, weeding and transplanting and pest control. You will develop a practical understanding of horticultural techniques by understanding how to make compost, dig beds, as well as gain knowledge about different plants, insects and the eco system.

Working in the growing facility provides a great distraction from your busy life and you can enjoy some fresh air while taking in the stunning views from our rural campus. It promotes the mental and physical health benefits of being outdoors, getting physical, being part of bigger change, meeting and connecting with people and enables the university to create connections with growers and local charities as a way of engaging with a larger community.

So if you would like to get involved in growing your own healthy food with no carbon footprint all free of charge join Flintshare or WGU Societies and get a patch at WGU’s growing facility.

Flint & District Beekeepers Association

Populations of honeybees are in decline in the UK and around the world. WGU has teamed up with Flint & District Beekeepers Association providing some land for the installation of 14 beehives on its Northop campus.

This is a fantastic opportunity to support and study the honeybee and emphasizes our efforts to become a more environmentally friendly organisation.

Without insect pollination, about one third of the crops we eat would need to be pollinated by other means, at great expense. Bees are the predominant and most economically important group of pollinators in most agriculturally significant regions.

The aim of the association is to promote within their membership; good beekeeping practice, provide guidance and support, provide ongoing information and awareness, introduce and support new beekeepers in the area.

Societies

Botanical Society (BotSoc)

This society is a forum for plant lovers and their friends, providing opportunities for discussion, information sharing.

The aims of the society, as well as providing a general forum, are to augment the learning experience of students with biology and ecology (for example) as part of their coursework, and hopefully to organise relevant excursions as part of this. Very much led by the desires and needs of students, members are encouraged to take an active role in making suggestions, getting involved in and organising events where appropriate. Last year BotSoc won ‘Most Improved Society’ at the Students Union Awards, we planted a wild flower garden at Northop and built a collaborative with Flintshare the community led growing group at Northop Campus.

Sustainability and Fairtrade Network

A place to share environment related information, resources, projects and volunteering opportunities for WGU students, staff, graduates and Glyndwr related environment project workers. This year Sustainability Network Glyndwr have been working with Incredible Edible a community group in Wrexham who create spaces in Wrecsam where food is grown for anyone to access freely. Sustainability Network Glyndwr also won the Students Union Award for ‘Contribution and Collaboration’ for more information and to join, visit the Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/SustainabilityNetworkGlyndwr/

Follow the Link below to keep up to date with what WGU are doing to become more sustainable and oppertunities to get involved with eco events, campaigns and become part of the voice that is shapeing WGU's sustainable policies and procedures.